Run-Riot's Katie Antoniou caught up with the founders of Flay and DeVille's Circus of Marvels to find out more about the new night they''ll be running at Madame JoJo's, starting on Monday, March 2nd.


Katie: Tell us why Monday is the new Friday?
DeVille: Too many people 'live for the weekend'. They endure the working week so that they can come to life on Friday evening. We think that every day should be as entertaining as possible, so we are offering a bright spark on a traditionally dull day. Magic, mystery and naked ladies should be available every day of the week.

Katie: When did you decide that the circus was for you?
Flay: In 2002, I read Carter Beats the Devil, by Glen David Gold. About three quarters of the way in, Carter has to escape from four pairs of handcuffs, a mailbag and a wooden crate, nailed shut, while bobbing in the San Francisco bay. It was honestly so thrilling that at that moment I decided to learn escape artistry. I had an old pair of handcuffs lying around and set to opening them using a paperclip, and the rest is history.

DeVille: When I was younger, I used to love shows like Sunday at the Palladium and the Royal Variety Show. The acts that always caught my eye were the slapstick comedians - and the showgirls, of course! Later on, I discovered I had an affinity for fire, so I picked up a fire staff in 2002, and broadened my range to include fire eating, fire breathing, fire whip and body burning. So when I found out showgirls liked funny men who set themselves on fire, my destiny was set....

Katie: Some of your acts involve a certain amount of danger and death-defying – has anything ever gone horribly wrong?

Flay: Thankfully no! I've had a few minor injuries, mostly to my shoulders and wrists, but nothing drastic has happened. I was doing an escape from a burning crate once (in a tribute to the Carter story that inspired me) and it took a hell of a lot longer to get out of the crate itself than I had been hoping (while it burned merrily all around me), but nothing actually went dangerously wrong. I have to face the fact that someday it might, but it's a risk you take with every show.

DeVille: We were performing Duelling Straitjackets at a pub gig in Croydon last year - the stage was tiny, on the first floor, and there was a window to the street at the back of it. While I was spinning around with the straitjacket over my head, a carpet set up onstage slipped from under me and I nearly went out the window.

Katie: Any dream stunts you'd love to do?

DeVille: A full body burn.

Flay: An escape from a straitjacket suspended by my ankles in a tank full of water in full view of the audience.

Katie: What advice would you give to anyone who's just lost a job in the city and is contemplating a career change? What qualities do you need to enthral an audience?

Flay: You won't get a big fat banker's bonus doing this, and virtually no-one gets to be a millionaire: it's not a job, it's a passion. And that's what will enthral an audience. You'll get the best reaction if you're up on stage and really into what you're doing. We know a load of really talented performers, but the thing which sets the really special ones apart isn't their talent, it's their passion and dedication.


Flay and Deville: 'Circus of Marvels' at Madame Jojo's
at Madame Jojo's, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F 0SP.
8pm. Monday, 2nd March

For more info:
...